The night had fallen, but the forest was still and alive with hidden dangers. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying secrets from miles away, secrets Lucas and his team had yet to uncover. Their discovery of the truth about Lucas's father and Kane's involvement had shaken them to their core, but they had little time to process it. The enemy was closing in, and there was no room for hesitation.
"We need a plan," Lucas said, his voice steady despite the chaos inside him. He stood with Zara and Nathaniel in the dimly lit cabin, the last safe place they could trust. The air was thick with tension, and the weight of their newfound knowledge pressed down on them. "Kane's network is too powerful, too far-reaching. If we go in straight for him now, we'll walk right into his trap."
Zara's brow furrowed as she leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So what are you suggesting? We just run? Hide?"
"No," Lucas replied quickly, shaking his head. "We need to give Kane a false target. A decoy mission that will make him think we're after something else. We have to distract him long enough to get to the heart of his operation and cut off his resources."
Nathaniel, who had been silently studying the map of Kane's known locations, looked up. "You're thinking of a diversion. Something big enough to grab his attention."
Lucas nodded. "Exactly. We'll lead him to believe we're making a move on one of his top assets. While he's focused on that, we'll slip through his defenses and strike from the shadows."
Zara looked unconvinced. "A decoy mission isn't foolproof, Lucas. What if we get caught? We'll be walking straight into the lion's den."
"We don't have a choice," Lucas said. "We need the element of surprise. And right now, it's the only way."
The team spent the next few hours strategizing, gathering intel, and preparing for the mission. They had to choose a target that would be valuable enough to Kane to divert his attention but not too important that they would risk everything. After much deliberation, they settled on an old storage facility a warehouse filled with equipment that could be useful to Kane's operations. The location was remote, and it had just enough value to be convincing, but it wasn't central to his real plans.
Zara would handle the tech side of the operation, making sure their communications stayed secure and their movements weren't traced. Nathaniel would provide logistical support, ensuring that they could get in and out without being seen. Lucas would lead the charge, a decoy for Kane's operatives to track and follow.
"We'll need to be quick and precise," Lucas reminded them as they gathered their gear. "This mission isn't just about deception. It's about getting the information we need to put an end to this."
Zara raised an eyebrow. "And if Kane doesn't take the bait?"
"We adapt," Lucas said. "We always do."
By the time they set out, the moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow on the road ahead. The journey to the warehouse was a long one, and the tension in the air was palpable. Every sound seemed amplified each rustling leaf, each snap of a twig beneath their boots. It felt like they were being watched, and in a way, they were. Kane's men were likely already on their trail.
Zara's voice crackled through the earpiece as they neared the warehouse. "I've hacked into Kane's surveillance network. You should be able to move undetected for now, but that won't last long. Stay sharp."
Lucas didn't need the reminder. He was already on edge, his senses heightened, his mind racing through every possible scenario. The decoy had to work, and they couldn't afford any mistakes.
As they approached the warehouse, they noticed two black cars parked near the entrance, the engines running. Kane's men were already there, waiting for them.
"Looks like we're not the only ones who were expecting trouble," Nathaniel muttered under his breath.
Lucas motioned for them to halt, pulling them into the shadows of the nearby trees. "They're too close. We'll have to make a move and draw them out."
Lucas's plan was simple. He and Nathaniel would create a diversion, drawing the enemy's attention while Zara worked her magic behind the scenes. They would pretend to attack the warehouse, making it look like they were after something crucial, while Zara disabled the security systems to make sure no one could escape. The goal was to make it seem like a full-scale assault so that Kane's men would think they were being hit by a bigger force.
"You know the drill," Lucas said, his voice low but firm. "Zara, once we create the distraction, you'll trigger the alarms and disable the communications. Make it look like we've broken in."
Zara nodded, her fingers already moving over the tablet she carried, preparing to launch the hack.
Nathaniel set up the explosives at the far corner of the warehouse, careful to keep the damage minimal but impactful enough to grab attention. He gave Lucas a silent nod once he was done. The stage was set.
"We're ready," Lucas whispered. He looked at Zara one last time. "Get ready to move fast. We don't have much time."
With one final glance at the warehouse, Lucas and Nathaniel burst into motion, charging toward the front gate of the facility. They fired a few warning shots into the air, making sure their presence was known. The explosion went off a few seconds later, sending a plume of smoke into the night sky. The sound of the blast echoed through the forest, signaling the beginning of their decoy mission.
Inside the warehouse, chaos erupted. Kane's men scrambled to take cover, their attention fully on Lucas and Nathaniel as they continued their assault, shooting into the air and throwing smoke bombs to create confusion. But in the midst of the chaos, Lucas's mind never wavered from the goal. This wasn't the real fight. Kane's real plans were somewhere deeper, somewhere they still hadn't uncovered.
Zara's voice came through the earpiece. "I've disabled the communications network. No one's going to be able to warn Kane. You've got them distracted for now."
Lucas's pulse quickened. "We move in now. Nathaniel, get to the back. I'll take the front."
The plan was working. Kane's men were disoriented, struggling to figure out where the attack was coming from. The warehouse was a maze, and in the confusion, Lucas and Nathaniel were able to slip inside without being seen.
As Lucas navigated the maze of crates and corridors, he felt a strange sense of unease wash over him. The mission was going too smoothly too perfectly. Something didn't feel right. He motioned for Nathaniel to check the side rooms while he moved toward the storage area.
Suddenly, his earpiece crackled. It was Zara, her voice filled with urgency. "Lucas, stop! You need to get out of there, now! This was a trap!"
"What?" Lucas's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean? This is supposed to be the decoy"
"There's something wrong. Kane's men have already moved the assets. It's all a setup. The real target is you."
Lucas froze, his blood running cold. He looked around the warehouse, the realization hitting him like a punch to the gut. It wasn't just the warehouse that was a decoy. They had all been lured here for one reason.
To die.
Before he could react, the lights went out, and the sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows.
And then, everything went dark.